As others have said, I'm not at all convinced that we have the wing backs or strikers to play this system. I feel that JED's stubborn obsession with playing two up front is leading him to ignore the 4-2-3-1 system which wilder used so well and which actually suits out personnel.

You do realise that your comments are at odds with 3-5-2, I have always looked at our two fullbacks as attack minded especially Moloney. I see no reason why Buchs cannot be effective there. Would have thought our current crop of players could easily adapt to the new system.

I've said this before, Buchs is one of my favourite players and I rate him very highly so this isn't a dig at him. His link up play is OK going forward, neat little one-twos with midfielders being a speciality, but he can't cross for toffee. He really can't; once he gets into the final third he looks lost and either looks for someone else to set up for a cross or will send in a half hearted effort that is easily cleared. I don't know how many assists he's contributed since he's been with us but I'd be surprised if it's more than a handful, and I'm pretty sure would be significantly less than Moloney over a similar period. If you are relying on wing backs to provide width then you really want someone who can rampage forward and whip the ball into the area while on the run. With the best will in the world, Buchs can't do that.

You're right in saying that Moloney can and he's less of a concern, but as someone said earlier in this thread, he's actually better at bombing forward from deep, offering an overlap with a winger and catching the opposing full back unawares. He's less effective when he starts out from a more advanced position and has no winger to link up with.

Edit: I stand corrected on the Moloney/Buchs comparison - apparently Buchs has contributed 7 assists in his time with us compared to 6 for Moloney. Moloney has chipped in with a couple of gosls himself though. Either way, a grand total of 13 assists between them is nothing to write home about; 1 assist every 15 games from Buchs and 1 every 12 from Moloney!

Don't see the 5-2-1-1 working at all, as mentioned already about the wing backs and strikers, but I also think with a midfield 2 we will be overrun and fail to get any possession (I also see this an issue with the 4-2-3-1) which is why I favour the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1

Don't see the 5-2-1-1 working at all, as mentioned already about the wing backs and strikers, but I also think with a midfield 2 we will be overrun and fail to get any possession (I also see this an issue with the 4-2-3-1) which is why I favour the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1

Not convinced this is the best system for our players. As others have said Buchs, while being one of my favourite players, is no wing back. Biro away last year was good evidence of that.

Regarding the midfield I guess we could play an advanced player sometimes (Bowditch or Hoskins from squad...probably where the other now signing will play) or we could drop Taylor or Kasim deep between Crooks and JJOT for them to bomb on.

Not sure where Powell plays in this system, does he compete for the No 10 role or upfront. A lot of CMs need to fit into 2 roles, guess maybe McWilliams goes out on loan. If he does I hope it's a League 2 team, would help his development.

Also, I know it sounds crazy but de we need another centre back? 1 injury and 1 suspension and we need to change the whole system.

I've said this before, Buchs is one of my favourite players and I rate him very highly so this isn't a dig at him. His link up play is OK going forward, neat little one-twos with midfielders being a speciality, but he can't cross for toffee. He really can't; once he gets into the final third he looks lost and either looks for someone else to set up for a cross or will send in a half hearted effort that is easily cleared. I don't know how many assists he's contributed since he's been with us but I'd be surprised if it's more than a handful, and I'm pretty sure would be significantly less than Moloney over a similar period. If you are relying on wing backs to provide width then you really want someone who can rampage forward and whip the ball into the area while on the run. With the best will in the world, Buchs can't do that.

You're right in saying that Moloney can and he's less of a concern, but as someone said earlier in this thread, he's actually better at bombing forward from deep, offering an overlap with a winger and catching the opposing full back unawares. He's less effective when he starts out from a more advanced position and has no winger to link up with.

Edit: I stand corrected on the Moloney/Buchs comparison - apparently Buchs has contributed 7 assists in his time with us compared to 6 for Moloney. Moloney has chipped in with a couple of gosls himself though. Either way, a grand total of 13 assists between them is nothing to write home about; 1 assist every 15 games from Buchs and 1 every 12 from Moloney!

100% correct mate . My view entirely . Moloney often comes up against left hand side midfielders that can't defend and attacks then from deep . When more advanced and against the full back he is less effective .Buchanan's distribution isn't good enough for a wing back .

My preferred formation is 3-5-2 very flexible and easy to understand if your playing.JED is currently achieving 1.27 points per game since he came in, 13 new players and a new system is a gutsy move, let's hope for JEDs sake that our new owners have some patience.

Not too fused about the system other than to comment that Buchanan is an out and out left back and may struggle in a wing back role. As others have commented for all his strengths his delivery into the penalty box is often poor.

Do you choose a system first and then get in the players who work best in the system, or do you get the best available players first and then choose the system that works best with the personnel available? If it's the former then he needs a better attacking left back, another centre back and a better no 10.

If its the latter then play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 for which the current crop of players are better suited, I would suggest.

Do you choice a system first and then get in the players who work best in the system, or do you get the best available players first and then choose the system that works best with the personnel available? If it's the former then he needs a better attacking left back, another centre back and a better no 10.

If its the latter then play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 for which the current crop of players are better suited, I would suggest.

What is the difference between 5-3-2 and 4-3-3 as both can easily be achieved by a sub or change of formation. I like the sound of 5-3-2 with Poole supporting the midfield a la 4-3-3. It also strongly hints at flexibility. Can the experts on here tell why they dont like JED's new system. Or is it purely based on the apparent growing anti JE party.

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